Yankees agree to terms with Andrew Miller on 4-year, $36M deal

After sitting back and watching their AL East rivals bolster their clubs to begin the offseason, the New York Yankees responded emphatically Friday.

The Yankees announced they've agreed to terms with Andrew Miller on a four-year deal worth a reported $36 million. It represents the largest contract ever awarded to a reliever who isn't a closer.

Though it's unclear where the Yankees plan to deploy him in their relief rotation, Miller gives the club a knockout punch from the left side to complement hard-throwing right-hander Dellin Betances.

"I'm not signing him to be our closer," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters after the move was announced. "I'm signing him to be a weapon in our 'pen."

The combination of Miller and Betances promises to pose significant problems for the opposition at the back of the Yankees' bullpen.

(Courtesy: FanGraphs)

Miller, 29, was pursued by several teams this offseason after pitching to a stingy 2.02 ERA and 1.51 FIP with 103 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings last season as a member of the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He was the sixth overall pick of the 2006 draft, but was eventually traded by the Detroit Tigers as part of the blockbuster Miguel Cabrera deal with the Florida Marlins.

The nine-year veteran struggled with control during his developing years in Miami, before establishing himself as a premier left-handed reliever in Boston. Miller owns a 2.57 ERA with a 13.6 strikeout-per-nine rate across 133 1/3 innings since 2012. The Orioles obtained Miller from the Red Sox at last year's trade deadline.

Acquiring Miller likely spells the end for David Robertson, who saved 39 games for the Yankees in his first year as the club's closer last season. The Houston Astros, who were also rumored to be targeting Miller, are believed to be chasing Robertson's services as well.

When asked whether the team is still interested in Robertson, who's reportedly seeking a deal in the $50-million range, Cashman replied on Friday: "We'll see."

The big signing caps an eventful day in the Bronx after the Yankees completed a three-team trade to land shortstop Didi Gregorius from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It also counters their rivals' moves earlier this offseason. The last-place Red Sox improved their lineup considerably with the free-agent double play signing of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, while the Toronto Blue Jays acquired a pair of elite talents in Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson.